Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyRecall 11V-289 · Freightliner vehicles
DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA recall 11V-289 covers 2,342 Freightliner vehicles for a trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly problem, reported to NHTSA on May 18, 2011.
Source: NHTSA recall 11V289000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
DTNA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BUSINESS CLASS M2, AND CORONADO, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 CASCADIA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FONTAINE ULTRA LT FIFTH WHEELS AND MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 7, 2010, THROUGH MARCH 7, 2011. DURING THE COUPLING PROCESS ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PRE-MODIFICATION FONTAINE ULTRA LT FIFTH WHEELS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO PARTIALLY CLOSE THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK, AND IF RELYING ON A TUG TEST (PULL TEST), AND NOT PERFORMING THE REQUIRED VISUAL INSPECTION, THINK THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK IS PROPERLY COUPLED TO THE TRAILER KING PIN, WHEN IN FACT, IT IS NOT.
The risk
IF THE TRACTOR IS NOT FULLY CONNECTED TO THE TRAILER, THE TRAILER MAY DISENGAGE WHILE IN USE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix
FONTAINE NOTIFIED OWNERS IN FEBRUARY 2011, AND IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. FONTAINE IS IN THE PROCESS OF RETROFITTING ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FONTAINE AT 1-800-874-9780 OR DTNA AT 1-800-547-0712.
DAIMLER'S SAFETY RECALL NO. FL-608.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A>.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from April 7, 2010 to March 7, 2011. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.
The investigation behind this recall
- Fontaine Ultra LT 5th Wheel False LatchNHTSA